6533b827fe1ef96bd1285bb6
RESEARCH PRODUCT
Age-related changes in the endocannabinoid system in the mouse hippocampus.
Andreas ZimmerAndras Bilkei-gorzoRaissa LernerBeat LutzErmelinda LomazzoAnastasia PiyanovaLaura BindilaOnder AlbayramTim Ruhlsubject
medicine.medical_specialtyAgingPolyunsaturated Alkamides2-ArachidonoylglycerolHippocampusmetabolism [Hippocampus]Arachidonic AcidsHippocampal formationBiologyHippocampusGlycerideschemistry.chemical_compoundMicepathology [Aging]Internal medicinemetabolism [Arachidonic Acids]medicineanandamideAnimalsglyceryl 2-arachidonateddc:610metabolism [Aging]NeurodegenerationAnandamidemedicine.diseasemetabolism [Endocannabinoids]Endocannabinoid systemMonoacylglycerol lipaseLipoprotein Lipasepathology [Hippocampus]metabolism [Polyunsaturated Alkamides]EndocrinologychemistryAgeingphysiopathology [Hippocampus]lipids (amino acids peptides and proteins)metabolism [Lipoprotein Lipase]metabolism [Glycerides]Developmental BiologyEndocannabinoidsdescription
Previous studies have demonstrated that the endocannabinoid system significantly influences the progression of brain ageing, and the hippocampus is one of the brain regions most vulnerable to ageing and neurodegeneration. We have further examined age-related changes in the hippocampal endocannabinoid system by measuring the levels of anandamide (AEA) and 2-arachidonoylglycerol (2-AG) in young and old mice from two different mouse strains. We found a decrease in 2-AG but not AEA levels in aged mice. In order to identify the cause for 2-AG level changes, we investigated the levels of several enzymes that contribute to synthesis and degradation of 2-AG in the hippocampus. We found a selective decrease in DAGLα mRNA and protein levels as well as an elevated MAGL activity during ageing. We hypothesize that the observed decrease of 2-AG levels is probably caused by changes in DAGLα expression and MAGL activity. This finding can contribute to the existing knowledge about the processes underlying selective vulnerability of the hippocampus to ageing and age-related neurodegeneration.
| year | journal | country | edition | language |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2015-09-01 | Mechanisms of ageing and development |